Chapter 5: His Office, My Hell

I didn’t expect that three days later, Adam would show up at my company as my new boss. My heart dropped into my shoes.

The universe, it seemed, wasn’t done with us yet. When I saw his name on the memo, my heart sank.

And my desk got moved right outside his office. I stared at the new seating chart in disbelief.

HR claimed it was for efficiency, but I knew better. Every time I looked up, I saw his door, always closed.

“I refuse.” I stood my ground, voice firm. I wasn’t going to make this easy for him.

“That’s fine,” Adam said coldly, not even looking up. “Hand your resignation to HR.”

He didn’t miss a beat, flipping through a stack of papers as if I were already gone. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to snap back.

I gave a sarcastic laugh. “You’re firing me just because I won’t move my desk?”

My voice dripped with disbelief, but he didn’t even flinch. I felt invisible.

His pen paused. Finally, he looked up at me. The look in his eyes made my stomach drop.

His eyes met mine, cool and unreadable. For a second, I thought I saw something flicker there, but it was gone before I could name it.

“I’m giving you a choice. Did you think I wanted something from you?” His words were sharp, each syllable like a slap.

I bit back a retort, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. My jaw ached from holding it in.

I swallowed hard, thinking about how Casey argued with the landlord over rent last night, and forced a smile. “Mr. Foster, you’re above all that. I’m not worried.”

I pasted on my bravest face, but inside, panic churned. I needed this job more than I wanted to admit.

Adam nodded slightly. “Thank you. Close the door on your way out. And turn your chair so your back faces me—I don’t want to see your face.”

His words were final. The conversation was over. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to slam the door behind me.

… The silence pressed in, heavy and suffocating. I swallowed hard, refusing to let him see me break.

After that, we barely interacted. The distance between us was a relief and a wound.

We became ghosts to each other, orbiting the same space without ever truly crossing paths. It was easier that way.